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NCT Number: NCT07274033

Effect of Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Muscle Fatigue in Female 11-a-side Football Players

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in accelerating recovery following induced fatigue in female football players. The study integrates objective performance measurements using linear encoders with anthropometric assessments and psychophysiological evaluations. It aims to quantify the impact of MLD on neuromuscular recovery, muscle edema, and perceived fatigue, considering sex-specific physiological factors and the influence of sleep and psychological stress. The findings will contribute to developing non-invasive, individualized recovery strategies to enhance performance and reduce injury risk in women's football.

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Key information

Conditions

Women

Age range

16 year–20 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Camilo José Cela

Madrid, 28691, Spain

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Edurne Úbeda Docasar

CONTACT

[email protected]

About this study

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) as a recovery strategy following induced fatigue in female football players. The intervention is applied immediately after a standardized fatigue protocol using a linear encoder to objectively measure performance decline. The study adopts a multidimensional approach, integrating biomechanical, physiological, and psychometric variables to evaluate recovery.

Participants will undergo three experimental sessions involving a fatigue protocol followed by either MLD or control conditions. Performance will be assessed through guided machine squats, measuring the number of repetitions and time until a 20% velocity loss. Thigh circumference will be measured pre- and post-intervention to monitor fluid shifts and potential edema. Subjective recovery perception will be recorded, and emotional state will be evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to explore its influence on fatigue and recovery response.

This trial addresses the need for non-invasive, efficient recovery strategies tailored to female athletes, considering sex-specific physiological and psychological factors. The findings may contribute to optimizing post-exercise recovery protocols and reducing injury risk in women's football.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Female athletes actively participating in 11-a-side football, either federated or official team members.
  • Age ≥ 16 years to 20 years old.
  • Regular training (≥ 3 sessions per week) or active competition
  • No food intake within 3 hours prior to evaluation (to standardize the influence of digestion on performance).
  • No acute lower limb injury in the past 3 months.
  • Availability to attend all three study visits.
  • Signed informed consent; for participants under 18, parental consent is also required.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of deep vein thrombosis
  • Decompensated heart failure
  • Active lower limb infection
  • Pregnancy
  • Recent lower limb surgery (< 3 months), or any medical contraindication to receiving manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).
  • Failure to comply with the fasting requirement prior to performance testing.

Treatment and study plan

Manual lymphatic draige

Other

This method, part of complex decongestive physiotherapy, involves gentle massage techniques that stimulate lymphatic circulation and venous return. MLD promotes lymph fluid mobilization, increases lymphangiomotor activity, and has positive effects on the immune system. Its application has shown to reduce limb edema, decrease muscle fatigue, and raise pain thresholds. Moreover, the gentle touch during MLD activates cutaneous receptors that influence the parasympathetic nervous system, producing physiological changes such as reduced heart rate, blood pressure modulation, and increased muscle strength.

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of repetitions

    Time frame: baseline; 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the first procedure, 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the second procedure, and 15 days after the procedure was completed.

    Number of repetitions until 20% velocity loss: recorded via linear encoder during guided squat test.

  2. Time to fatigue

    Time frame: baseline; 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the first procedure, 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the second procedure, and 15 days after the procedure was completed.

    Time to fatigue (seconds): total time from first repetition until velocity drops by 20%.

  3. Velocity profile

    Time frame: baseline; 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the first procedure, 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the second procedure, and 15 days after the procedure was completed.

    average velocity per repetition, expressed in m/s.

  4. Thigh circumference (cm)

    Time frame: baseline; 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the first procedure, 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the second procedure, and 15 days after the procedure was completed.

    measured with a non-elastic tape at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the upper border of the patella, in both legs, pre- and post-intervention.

  5. Perceived fatigue

    Time frame: baseline; 5 minutes before and 5 moinutes after the first procedure, 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the second procedure, and 15 days after the procedure was completed.

    assessed using Borg CR-10 scale (0 = no fatigue, 10 = maximum fatigue).

  6. Perceived pain (VAS)

    Time frame: baseline; 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the first procedure, 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the second procedure, and 15 days after the procedure was completed.

    assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain).

  7. Perceived recovery (PRS)

    Time frame: baseline; 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the first procedure, 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after the second procedure, and 15 days after the procedure was completed.

    assessed using the Perceived Recovery Status Scale (PRS), ranging from 0 (no recovery) to 10 (full recovery).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Sleep quality (PSQI)

    Time frame: baseline, after the second procedure and 15 days after the procedure was completed

    assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a 19-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 0 to 21 (higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality).

  2. Emotional state

    Time frame: baseline, after the second procedure and 15 days after the procedure was completed

    assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), comprising 14 items across anxiety and depression subscales (scores range from 0 to 21 per subscale).

  3. Sociodemographic Variables

    Time frame: Baseline

    Age, Height, Body weight, Body mass Index

  4. Dominant leg

    Time frame: Baseline

    self-reported (leg used to kick the ball).

  5. Sports experience (years)

    Time frame: baseline

    total years of systematic football practice.

  6. Training frequency (sessions/week)

    Time frame: baseline

    average number of sessions during the season.

  7. Menstrual cycle phase

    Time frame: baseline, after the second procedure and 15 days after the procedure was completed

    self-reported, to control for physiological variations in fatigue and recovery.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Edurne Úbeda D'Ocasar, Doctor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+34 8153131 ext. 19217

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Camilo Jose Cela University

Other

Registry information

Acronym: EDLMF11

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Dec 10, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 10, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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